Columbus AFB salutes local frontline heroes with flyovers

A T-38C Talon departs Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., to fly in a dissimilar formation of aircraft over various areas of Mississippi, May 9, 2020. The flyover was an opportunity to honor the men and women on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19 during the Defense Department’s #AmericaStrong salute. The flyover consisted of the T-6A Texan II, T-1A Jayhawk and the T-38 Talon. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Hannah Bean)

A T-1A Jayhawk departs Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., to fly in a dissimilar formation of aircraft, over various areas of Mississippi, May 9, 2020. The flyover was an opportunity to honor the men and women on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19 during the Defense Department’s #AmericaStrong salute. The flyover consisted of the T-6A Texan II, T-1A Jayhawk and the T-38 Talon. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Hannah Bean)

A T-38 Talon flies in a dissimilar formation of aircraft from Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., over Mississippi, May 9, 2020. The flyover was an opportunity to honor the men and women on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19 during the Defense Department’s #AmericaStrong salute. The flyover consisted of the T-6A Texan II, T-1A Jayhawk and the T-38 Talon. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Keith Holcomb)

A T-6 Texan II flies in a dissimilar formation of aircraft from Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., over Starkville, Miss., May 9, 2020. The flyover was an opportunity to honor the men and women on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19 during the Defense Department’s #AmericaStrong salute. The flyover consisted of the T-6A Texan II, T-1A Jayhawk and the T-38 Talon. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Keith Holcomb)

A dissimilar formation of aircraft from Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., fly over Main Street in Columbus, Miss. on May 9, 2020. The flyover was an opportunity to honor the men and women on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19 during the Defense Department’s #AmericaStrong salute. The flyover consisted of the T-6A Texan II, T-1A Jayhawk and the T-38 Talon. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Davis Donaldson)

A dissimilar formation of aircraft from Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., fly over Baptist Memorial Hospital in Columbus, Miss. May 9, 2020. The flyover was an opportunity to honor the men and women on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19 during the Defense Department’s #AmericaStrong salute. The flyover consisted of the T-6A Texan II, T-1A Jayhawk and the T-38 Talon. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jake Jacobsen)

A dissimilar formation of aircraft from Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., fly over Columbus AFB May 9, 2020. The flyover was an opportunity to honor the men and women on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19 during the Defense Department’s #AmericaStrong salute. The flyover consisted of the T-6A Texan II, T-1A Jayhawk and the T-38 Talon. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Gross)

A dissimilar formation of aircraft from Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., fly over the Koritz Clinic. on May 9, 2020. The flyover was an opportunity to honor the men and women on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19 during the Defense Department’s #AmericaStrong salute. The flyover consisted of the T-6A Texan II, T-1A Jayhawk and the T-38 Talon. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Hannah Bean)

A dissimilar formation of aircraft from Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., fly over The Koritz Clinic. on May 9, 2020. The flyover was an opportunity to honor the men and women on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19 during the Defense Department’s #AmericaStrong salute. The flyover consisted of the T-6A Texan II, T-1A Jayhawk and the T-38 Talon. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Hannah Bean)

A dissimilar formation of aircraft from Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., fly over Columbus AFB May 9, 2020. The flyover was an opportunity to honor the men and women on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19 during the Defense Department’s #AmericaStrong salute. The flyover consisted of the T-6A Texan II, T-1A Jayhawk and the T-38 Talon. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Gross)

In honor of the American heroes on the front lines battling the COVID-19 pandemic, Columbus Air Force Base provided dissimilar formation flyovers May 9 over several local communities in northeast Mississippi.

The flyovers were part of numerous flyovers that have taken place all over the U.S. during the last several weeks. The U.S. Air Force has conducted these series of flyovers to demonstrate the Air Force’s continued readiness during COVID-19 while saluting American heroes at the forefront of the COVID-19 battle.

During a WCBI interview, Col. Samantha Weeks, 14th Flying Training Wing commander said “The Department of Defense came up with it. We just want to recognize and thank all of our healthcare workers for their relentless efforts to make sure that we can care for our population as we fight this virus.”

The flyovers consisted of the T-6A Texan II, T-1A Jayhawk and the T-38 Talon. The trainer aircraft are used as part of the 14th Flying Training Wing’s Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training and Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals programs.

“The CAFB Salutes Flyover shows unity and support for our community during this time of uncertainty,” Columbus Mayor Robert Smith stated in a letter granting permission for the flyover in Columbus. “The City of Columbus is pleased to partner with CAFB and the Mayor, Council and employees are grateful for this partnership.”

Prior to the flyover, Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton said he thought this was a good way to lift morale.

“We are very grateful for the United States Air Force and our great friends at the Columbus Air Force Base” Shelton said. “The flyover will be a great display of American patriotism and will uplift our spirits as we all combat COVID-19 together.”